Simon Power
National Party Law & Order Spokesman
Drivers allowed above breath alcohol limit
National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power, says it is disturbing that built-in tolerances in breathalysers are allowing drivers to
get away with drink-driving.
He is commenting on a report today that internal tolerance levels in breathalyser machines allow adults to be 10% more
drunk than the legal limit and teenagers 13% more drunk.
“What is the point of having a legal limit if you then let people drive above it?
“The limits were set for a very good reason and I am sure the public will be very surprised to find these machines have
such big tolerances.
“The most disturbing revelation is that teenage drivers can be 13% drunker than we always thought they were allowed to
be.
“With their legal limit being only 150 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, 13% is a big climb above that.
“We’ve always been told the limit’s the limit, and these machines should be set at the limit. What sort of message is
this sending to young people?
“It is also astounding that many police officers don’t know about these tolerances.”
Ends